WITH the likely prospect of him ending up with San Mig Coffee in the coming 39th PBA season, former NCAA Most Valuable Player Ian Sangalang readily did his homework early.
The big man out of San Sebastian admitted to Spin.ph having taken his time to watch the recently-concluded Governors Cup Finals to give him an idea how the Mixers play under coach Tim Cone’s trademark triangle offense.
The Mixers won the franchise’s 10th league title after subduing Petron Boosters in the Game Seven.
“Meron na rin akong idea. Kung mapunta ako ng San Mig, kaya ko naman i-develop 'yan at focus lang palagi para maka-adjust,” said Sangalang, who was measured at 6-foot-5 and 5/8 during Monday’s pre-rookie draft biometrics measurements at the Gatorade Hoops Center.
Sangalang is tipped to end up as the second overall pick in Sunday’s draft which the Mixers owned. Unless a last-minute change of heart occurs, Barangay Ginebra is officially set to make seven-foot slotman Greg Slaughter as the season’s No. 1 selection overall.
Sangalang admits feeling the pressure this early should the Mixers officially go with him at No. 2, owing to the franchise’s rich championship tradition and the presence of several quality big men in Cone's bench.
“May pressure talaga sa akin pag napunta ako ng San Mig. Lahat kasi ng big men nila agresibo. Nag champion pa,” said Sangalang, once a part of the dreaded 'Pinatubo Trio' while playing alongside Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual at San Sebastian.
Sangalang said despite a crowded frontline that includes Finals MVP Marc Pingris, Rafi Reavis, and Yancy de Ocampo, he’s willing to learn the ropes from San Mig’s veteran big men and eventually adjust to the PBA way of life.
“Paglaro ng sentro, kaya ko naman. Willing naman ako mag-adjust, depende sa diskarte ng coach. Lahat naman kaya nating pag-aralan,” said the power-forward from Pampanga.
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